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Monday, February 21, 2011

Obama slinks away from Wisconsin union fight

After throwing the weight of the presidency and its campaign apparatus behind the Wisconsin public workers' unions, the Obama regime is now backing away. The New York Times reports the regime claims it did "nothing to encourage the demonstrations in Wisconsin."

This latest bit of Obama trying to have it both ways can only mean someone has read the polls and knows Obama blew it.

Last week President Obama and his reelection organs -- Organizing for America and the Democratic National Committee, went all in with support for the Wisconsin public workers' unions in the kerfuffle with Governor Scott Walker over the state's budget.

The Washington Post reported on Friday that Obama "thrust himself and his political operation this week into Wisconsin's broiling budget battle, mobilizing opposition to legislation that would curb public-worker benefits and planning similar protests in other state capitals." According to the Post:

Obama accused went so far as to accuse Gov. Walker of an "assault" on unions.

The president's political machine worked in close coordination with state and national union officials to get thousands of protesters to gather in Madison and to plan similar demonstrations in other state capitals.

Democrat Party officials were organizing additional demonstrations in Ohio and Indiana, where an effort is underway to trim benefits for public workers.

The White House political operation, Organizing for America, got involved Monday, after Democratic National Committee Chairman Kaine spoke to union leaders in Madison. The group made phone calls, distributed messages via Twitter and Facebook, and sent e-mails to state and national lists to try to build crowds for rallies Wednesday and Thursday, a party official said.

Now Obama is trying to disown his support for the Wisconsin public unions because it is as monumental a political blunder as was the Obamacrats cramming the unpopular ObamaCare down our throats in the face strong public opposition. Like the ObamaCare, Public workers' unions are not popular.

Last week Rasmussen Reports released a poll that found 70% of likely voters think voters are more willing to make the hard choices needed to reduce federal spending than elected politicians are. Fifty-five percent (55%) don’t think President Obama’s proposed $3.7 trillion 2012 budget includes enough spending cuts, and 40% of don’t think the GOP spending cuts go far enough either.

Also, A poll from the Clarus Group found that 64% do not think that government employees should be represented by labor unions.

Perhaps more important, Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll finds Obama's popularity has returned to pre-tax deal levels. Obama's Strongly Disapprove numbers are back in 40% range, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -18. These are similar to disapproval ratings Obama had during the midterms when the Democrats got shellacked.